BB5

A water quality improving agent with wetting, spreading and acidifying properties with a built-in pH indicator for use with contact and systematic insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and foliar feeds.

The incorporation of a unique color indicator in BB5 makes it easy to see once the optimal pH range has been obtained. The addition of BB5 to the spray tank will acidify the water which will turn into a pink-red color once the optimal pH range of approximately pH 4.5-5.0 is reached.

BB5 complexes harmful salts that are detrimental to the performance of crop protection chemicals. Herbicides such as glyphosate and 2.4D are negatively influenced by salts found in hard water and therefore need to be removed.

PENETRATION

The built-in penetration in BB5 moves the pesticide through the waxy cuticular layer, ensuring better performance.

ACIDIFICATION & BUFFERING

By adding BB5 to the spray water, the water becomes increasingly acidic turning pink (at pH 4.5-5.0) once the optimum pH is reached. This prevents alkaline hydrolysis (chemical decomposition) of the active ingredient. In the unlikely event of over-addition of BB5 the spray water is automatically buffered at approximately pH3.0 9i.e. no further pH change occurs)

The pH and hardness of spray solutions may have a marked effect on the persistence and ultimate performance of contact and systemic, alkaline-sensitive pesticides and foliar applied nutrient products. Such pesticides and most foliar nutrients generally perform best at a pH ranging from 4.5-5.0.

Always add BB5 to the spray water before adding the other components of the spray mix. BB5 contains a pH sensitive indicator which changes the color of spray-water to a shade of pink when the optimum pH range of 4.5-5.0 has been reached.

The determination of the exact amount of BB5 to be added to the spray water must always be established in an open container (jug, bucket, etc.) and not by observing the color change in the dark confines of the spray tank itself.

Soft water requires a low concentration of BB5 and turns pink rapidly upon reaching the desired pH. Hard water will require a higher concentration of BB5 and in this instance a gradual colour change from yellow to orange and finally a stable pink colour (pH 4.5-5.0) will be observed.

In hard waters the addition of BB5 must be continued whilst agitating constantly until the colour change is observed. The following table merely serves as a general guideline regarding the quantity of BB5 required to adjust the pH of different waters to a level ranging from 4.5-5.0.

WATER HARDNESS RATING APPLICATION RATE ml/100 l water

SOFT

40-50

MEDIUM

50-60

MEDIUM HARD

100-120

HARD

180-200

VERY HARD

220 and above

WARNINGS

The addition of BB5 to spray mixtures containing certain copper fungicides, particularly oxychlorides, is not recommended, due to the possibility of phytotoxicity.

BB5 is corrosive and should not be stored in metal containers

Keep out of reach of children, animals and uninformed persons and store away from food and feedstuffs.

PRECAUTIONS

Avoid prolonged contact with concentrate. Eye irritation may be caused. In case of contact with eyes, flush immediately with water for at least 15 minutes. Prevent contamination of eating utensils, food, drinking water and feeds. Destroy empty containers and do not use for any other purpose. Rinse empty containers three times with a volume of water equal to at least one tenth of that of the container and add the rinsing to the content of the spray tank before disposing of the container.